Folding treadmill positioning structure

ABSTRACT

A folding treadmill positioning structure includes a base frame, a treadmill platform, a first linkage connected between the base frame and the treadmill platform at the front side and defining a retaining portion, and a positioning device set, which includes a constraint member movably arranged on the rear side of the treadmill platform, a retaining member pivotally mounted on the front side of the treadmill and a connection member connecting the constraint member and the retaining member. When the treadmill platform is moved to the received position, the retaining member is forced into engagement with the retaining portion, locking the treadmill platform in the received position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a folding treadmill and more particularly, to the positioning structural design of a folding treadmill.

2. Description of the Related Art

A prior art folding treadmill positioning structure is known comprising a base frame, a treadmill platform connected with the base frame and a positioning device set. The positioning device set comprises a lever, a stop member and a linking member connecting the lever and the stop member. The lever and the stop member are respectively disposed at the rear side and front side of the treadmill platform. The stop member is stopped against a stop portion of the base frame. The lever is operable to move the stop member away from the stop portion of the base frame, allowing the treadmill platform to be biased relative to the base frame and then received or set in horizontal.

According to the aforesaid prior art design, when the treadmill platform is received, the stop member that is disposed at the front side of the treadmill platform is stopped against the base frame, holding the treadmill platform in the received position. At this time, the weight of the treadmill platform is simply supported on the stop member. After a long use of the treadmill, the stop member may be unable to support the treadmill platform firmly in the received position and may be disengaged from the stop portion of the base frame accidentally, causing the treadmill platform in to fall from the received position. This drawback bothers the user in using the treadmill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a folding treadmill positioning structure, which enhances positive positioning, avoiding falling of the treadmill platform from the received position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a folding treadmill positioning structure, which facilitates receiving and positioning the treadmill platform.

To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, a folding treadmill positioning structure comprises a base frame, a treadmill platform, a first linkage, and a positioning device set.

The first linkage is connected between the base frame and the front side of the treadmill platform. The first linkage comprising a retaining portion. The positioning device set comprises a constraint member movably arranged on the rear side of the treadmill platform, a retaining member pivotally mounted on the front side of the treadmill platform and a connection member connecting the constraint member and the retaining member.

Subject to the aforesaid technical features, the treadmill platform can be biased relative to the base frame between an operating position and a vertical received position. When the treadmill platform is moved to the received position, the retaining member is forced into engagement with the retaining portion, locking the treadmill platform in the received position. Further, the user can bias the constraint member to move the retaining member away from the retaining portion, allowing the treadmill platform to be moved to the operating position. Thus, the invention facilitates receiving and positioning the treadmill platform.

Other and further benefits, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements of structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a folding treadmill positioning structure in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a part of the present invention, illustrating the relationship between the constraint member of the positioning structure and the treadmill platform.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the component parts of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a part of the present invention, illustrating the relationship between the retaining member of the positioning structure and the treadmill platform.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the component parts of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an oblique right side view of the present invention, illustrating the treadmill in the operative position.

FIG. 7 is an oblique right side view of the present invention, illustrating the treadmill in the received position.

FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of a part of the present invention, illustrating the treadmill in the received position before biasing of the constraint member of the positioning structure.

FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of a part of the present invention, illustrating the treadmill in the received position before biasing of the constraint member of the positioning structure and the retaining member engaged with the retaining portion of the left first link.

FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of a part of the present invention, illustrating the treadmill in the received position and the constraint member of the positioning structure biased.

FIG. 11 is a sectional side view of a part of the present invention, illustrating the treadmill in the received position before biasing of the constraint member of the positioning structure and the retaining member disengaged from the retaining portion of the left first link.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1˜5, a folding treadmill positioning structure 10 in accordance with the invention is shown comprising a base frame 20, a treadmill platform 30, a first linkage 40, a second linkage 50 and a positioning device set 60.

The base frame 20 comprising a left frame bar 21 and a right frame bar 22 arranged in parallel, and a rear frame bar 23 connected between the left frame bar 21 and the right frame bar 22. The left frame bar 21 defines therein a left sliding groove 211. The right frame bar 22 defines therein a right sliding groove 221 that faces the left sliding groove 211.

The treadmill platform 30 is a rectangular frame member comprising opposing left side bar 31 and right side bar 32, opposing front side bar 33 and rear side bar 34, and a left connection member 311 and a right connection member 321 respectively perpendicularly extended from the left side bar 31 and the right side bar 32 adjacent to the front side bar 33. According to this embodiment, the left connection member 311 and the right connection member 321 are thin plate members. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rear side bar 34 comprises a first locating member 35 that is formed of a substantially U-shaped thin plate member and comprises a locating hole 351 on each of the two distal ends thereof, and a downwardly protruding positioning portion 352 and a rectangular opening 353 at one side of the downwardly protruding positioning portion 352. The treadmill platform 30 further comprises a plurality of connection ribs, for example, a first connection rib 36, a second connection rib 37 and a third connection rib 38 transversely connected between the left side bar 31 and the right side bar 32 in a parallel manner and spaced from one another. The first connection rib 36 is connected between the distal end of the left connection member 311 and the distal end of the right connection member 321. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the first connection rib 36 comprises a second locating member 39 that is an integral rectangular open frame located on the first connection rib 36. The second locating member 39 comprises two opposing lugs 391 respectively backwardly extended from the left and right sides thereof, a second locating hole 392 formed in each of the two lugs 391, a through hole 393 located on the forwardly protruding top wall thereof and an elongated slot 394 located on the forwardly protruding top wall and forwardly extending from the through hole 393.

The first linkage 40 comprises a left first link 41 and a right first link 42 respectively and pivotally connected between the rear frame bar 23 and the left connection member 311 and right connection member 321, and a left retractable rod member 43 and a right retractable rod member 44 respectively pivotally connected between the left first link 41 and right first link 42 and the second connection rib 37. As shown in FIG. 10, the left first link 41 has a part of the body thereof forming a retaining portion 412 that is provided with a retaining ring 413.

The second linkage 50 comprises a left second link 51 and a right second link 52 respectively and pivotally connected with one end thereof to the left connection member 311 and the right connection member 321, and a transverse rod member 53 connected between the other end of the left second link 51 and the other end of the right second link 52 and slidably coupled to the left sliding groove 211 and the right sliding groove 221.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, by means of the first linkage 40 and the second linkage 50, the treadmill platform 30 can be biased relative to the base frame 20 between a horizontal operating position P1 and a vertical received position P2. When the treadmill platform 30 is moved to the horizontal operating position P1, the treadmill platform 30 is kept in a substantially parallel manner relative to the base frame 20. At this time, the left retractable rod member 43 and the right retractable rod member 44 (not shown) are retracted to the shortest length, and the transverse rod member 53 is moved to the front end of the left sliding groove 211 and the front end of the right sliding groove 221 (not shown). When the treadmill platform 30 is moved to the vertical operating position P2, the treadmill platform 30 is kept in a substantially vertical manner relative to the base frame 20. At this time, the left retractable rod member 43 and the right retractable rod member 44 (not shown) are extended to the longest length, and the transverse rod member 53 is moved to the rear end of the left sliding groove 211 and the rear end of the right sliding groove 221 (not shown).

The positioning device set 60 comprises a constraint member 61, a retaining member 62, and a connection member 63 connecting the constraint member 61 and the retaining member 62.

According to this embodiment, the constraint member 61 is a thin plate member having an axle hole 611 located on one side thereof and a downwardly projecting positioning portion 612. A first pivot pin 613 is inserted through the locating holes 351 of the first locating member 35 and the axle hole 611 to pivotally connect the constraint member 61 to the first locating member 35. Further, a first elastic member 614 is set between the constraint member 61 and the first locating member 35. According to this embodiment, the first elastic member 614 is a coil spring having two distal ends thereof respectively connected to the positioning portion 612 of the first elastic member 614 and the positioning portion 352 of the first locating member 35 and adapted for returning the constraint member 61 after the constraint member 61 having been biased.

The retaining member 62 comprises a hook 621 located on one end thereof, an angled connection portion 622 located on the other end thereof, and an elongated slot 623 located on the angled connection portion 622. The elongated slot 623 extends to the distal end edge of the angled connection portion 622, forming an opening. The retaining member 62 further comprises a barrel 624 located on the middle between the hook 621 and the angled connection portion 622, an extension portion 625 disposed adjacent to the barrel 624, a second pivot pin 626 that is inserted through the second locating hole 392 of each of the two lugs 391 and the barrel 624 to pivotally connect the retaining member 62 to the second locating member 39, and a second elastic member 627 sleeved onto the barrel 624. As shown in FIG. 4, the second elastic member 627 according to the present preferred embodiment is a torsional spring having two opposite ends thereof respectively stopped against the extension portion 625 and the first connection rib 36 for enabling the retaining member 62 to be returnably biasable relative to the second locating member 39.

The connection member 63 according to the present preferred embodiment is a steel cable, having its one end inserted through the rectangular opening 353 of the first locating member 35 and connected to the constraint member 61 and its other end inserted in proper order through the through hole 393 of the second locating member 39 and the elongated slot 623 of the retaining member 62 and then secured to the angle of the angled connection portion 622 by a retainer 631.

Subject to the aforesaid technical features, as shown in FIGS. 8˜11, the hook 621 of the retaining member 62 is hooked up with the retaining ring 413 at the retaining portion 412 of the left first link 41 when the treadmill platform 30 is in the vertical received position P2, and therefore the treadmill platform 30 is locked in the vertical received position P2 and prohibited from biasing relative to the base frame 20. When the user biases the constraint member 61 upwards, the connection member 63 will be forced to move the retaining member 62, thereby disengaging the hook 621 from the retaining ring 413 for allowing movement of the treadmill platform 30 relative to the base frame 20.

Therefore, subject to the interlocking structural design of the retaining member and the retaining portion, the invention achieves a better positioning effect, preventing the treadmill platform from falling from the vertical received position accidentally. Further, the user simply needs to apply a pressure to the constraint member when moving the treadmill platform from the operating position to the received position, and the treadmill platform will be locked in the received position positively when the user releases the hands from the treadmill platform and the constraint member after the treadmill platform reaches the received position.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. A folding treadmill positioning structure, comprising: a base frame having opposing front side and rear side; a treadmill platform having opposing front side and rear side; a first linkage connected between the front side of said base frame and the front side of said treadmill platform for allowing said treadmill platform to be biased relative to said base frame between an operating position and a received position, said first linkage comprising a retaining portion; and a positioning device set comprising a constraint member movably arranged on the rear side of said treadmill platform, a retaining member pivotally mounted on the front side of said treadmill and a connection member connecting said constraint member and said retaining member; wherein when said treadmill platform is in said received position, said retaining member is engaged with said retaining portion; said constraint member is movable to drive said connection member is disengaging said retaining member from said retaining portion for allowing said treadmill to be biased to said operating position.
 2. The folding treadmill positioning structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retaining member comprises a hook located on one end thereof; said retaining portion comprises a retaining ring that is hooked up with said hook when said treadmill platform is in said received position.
 3. The folding treadmill positioning structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retaining member comprises a connection portion and an elongated slot longitudinally located on said connection portion; said connection member comprises a retainer disposed at one end thereof and secured to said elongated slot.
 4. The folding treadmill positioning structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said treadmill comprises a first locating member located on the rear side thereof; said constraint member is pivotally mounted on said first locating member; said positioning device set further comprises a first elastic member set between said constraint member and said first locating member.
 5. The folding treadmill positioning structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said treadmill platform further comprises a second locating member located on the front side thereof; said retaining member is pivotally mounted on said second locating member; said positioning device set further comprises a second elastic member set between said retaining member and said second locating member.
 6. The folding treadmill positioning structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein said treadmill platform further comprises two opposing connection members and a connection rib connected between the connection members of said treadmill platform; said second locating member is located on said connection rib; said first linkage has one end thereof pivotally connected to an extension end of each of the connection members of said treadmill platform.
 7. The folding treadmill positioning structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein said retaining member comprises an extension portion; said second elastic member has one end thereof stopped at said extension portion of said retaining member and an opposite end thereof stopped at said connection rib second locating member.
 8. The folding treadmill positioning structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a retractable rod member, said retractable rod member having one end thereof connected to said first linkage and an opposite end thereof connected to said treadmill platform.
 9. The folding treadmill positioning structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second linkage, wherein said base frame comprises two parallel sliding grooves; said second linkage has one end thereof connected with the front side of said treadmill platform and an opposite end thereof movably coupled to the sliding grooves of said base frame.
 10. The folding treadmill positioning structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first linkage comprises two first links, each said first link having one end thereof pivotally connected to the front side of said treadmill platform and an opposite end thereof pivotally connected to said base frame; said second linkage comprises two second links and a transverse rod member, each said second link having one end thereof pivotally connected to said treadmill platform adjacent to the connection area between said first linkage and said treadmill platform and an opposite end thereof connected to said transverse rod, said transverse rod having two distal ends thereof respectively movably coupled to said sliding grooves. 